Posts archived in Green Home Building

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December 1, 2011

5 “Green” Yard Trends in New Houston Homes

In recent years, Texas home builders have been taking extra pride in constructing unique and innovative homes in effort to attract buyers who might otherwise be looking for a resale or foreclosed home. One area that builders have noticeably taken a green initiative is the addition of “green” yards in the construction of new homes in Houston and the surrounding suburbs.

Green Yards : Eco-Friendly Irrigation System

It is well known that Houstonians take pride in their outdoor living areas and in being good to the environment. Which is why if you already own a home, you may be looking to upgrade your patio there are a number of choices that you can make with conservation in mind. But being environmentally friendly is more involved than simply choosing plants that don’t need to be watered much. Here are some ideas to for overhauling your patio.

  1. A smart irrigation system is one that is programmed to shut off the water when it rains and also adjusts the amount of water it delivers based on factors such as the temperature and how much your plants need on a particular day.
  2. Outdoor lighting is one area that can certainly use attention and be made more eco-friendly. LEDs are a nice choice to replace your traditional flood and porch lights. Steer clear of incandescent and halogen lighting for outdoors. Although you’ll pay more for LEDs, you may never have to replace them because they last so long. They use very little electricity, which will “lighten” your utility bill.
  3. If you have an outdoor kitchen you should consider Energy Star appliances that’ll keep your electric bill in check and give you the peace of mind that you’re reducing your carbon footprint.
  4. To be sure that your sliding glass door isn’t betraying your energy conservation efforts, replace it with an energy-efficient model. Ensure that it is heavy-duty and that it fits tightly. Look for the Energy Star label.
  5. Consider limiting the amount of plants you have to maintain, particularly if you’re short on yard space. Your annuals and vegetables will look nice in a container of travertine or pavers that matches the decor of your patio area.

Houston’s climate allows for many measures that can ease the strain on our planets resources. This coupled with the sense of social responsibility among our city’s residents has already pushed many to make wise, green decisions when it comes to our homes.

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November 29, 2011

Building Environmentally-Friendly New Homes In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a diverse state in which to live and buy a new home. Whether you crave the mountains or the water, you can find the ideal location to move. Finding new homes in Pennsylvania that meet your needs can be an exciting time in your life.

Friendly New Homes In Pennsylvania

When you decide to have your next home built in Pennsylvania, check out the builders who are constructing environmentally-friendly homes.

Because there is such a focus on building more environmentally-friendly homes these days, many of the home builders that serve the housing market in Pennsylvania offer them. When Pennsylvania home builders use the technology that is available today to build homes that are better for the environment, it allows you to save money in the long run. This means you will have more money to spend on other, more rewarding items, such as decorating your new home.

Homes that have this advantage allow the temperature inside the home to remain steady for a longer period of time. In addition, the carbon emissions from a home that has been built with this type of technology are less over the long term. You will also realize a significant energy savings during the time you live in your home.

Homes that are built to these exacting standards also contain a number of aesthetic additions to showcase the various unique aspects of each house. For example, you might find hardwood bamboo floors throughout the home instead of wall to wall carpet. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly, looks great, and is a durable and long-lasting alternative to other woods. Wall-to-wall carpeting has been associated with harmful toxins that continue to be shed long after being installed in a home.

When building new homes in Pennsylvania, the builder can also take advantage of the natural landscape. A home built close to the woods, for example, can enjoy the natural buffer against the wind that they create. The shade provided by these trees also means that the home will enjoy a cooler interior during the hot summer months.

Having an environmentally conscious home in Pennsylvania will also be a strong selling point if you should ever want to move in the future. These homes are often peppered with unique details throughout. It is also obviously that they have been built with pride and care. This is in addition to the fact that careful thought was given in order to find the most environmentally efficient way to utilize the land and integrate the home.

See also:
Protect Your Home from the Weather
Art Goes Green and Verticle
Tips for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

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December 24, 2010

What is the importance of green home building?

Going green is lately in may it be your car, your home, your dresses and even your foods. Nowadays, most of the builders are incorporating green building practices in their home building procedure. It is important to incorporate green building practices so as to save our earth and our environment. It sees that along with the low mortgage rate trends, the green home building is also gaining importance.

Importance of green home building

The importances of green home building or building eco-homes are:

1. Environmental impact – We should take into consideration the impact that we have on the earth’s ecosystem. Green homes help us conserve energy and meet the standards of energy efficiency and reduce the negative environmental impacts that other modes of construction create. The ANSI approved ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard outlines the guidelines of building a green home. If you follow the guidelines, you will easily be able to build a green home and secure the survival of the human kind and hundreds of species of living beings on this earth.

1. More fitter and comfortable homes – Green homes are fitter and comfortable than the ordinary homes. The green_home produce less pollution, thereby protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink.

1. Lowered electric and gas bills – Greening your home can actually save you money. The cost of building your green home can be a bit higher as compared to building common buildings but green homes can save you money on electricity and gas. The savings can be as high as 50 to 70% on energy costs. In ordinary homes, most of the money is expended on either heating or cooling your home, cooking, lighting, etc. However, in case of green buildings, it controls the climate inside your home with the help of air pipe ventilation, geothermal heat exchangers, solar panels, etc. The solar panels used in making the rooftop can serve the purpose of making lighting up your rooms, cooking, heating water, etc.

The actual savings made from building a green home cannot be actually monetarily measured. The efficient use of natural and recyclable resources will bring into control the disruption of wildlife. However, before going to buy or build a green house, you should calculate the costs of building the house. If you need help with financing, you can take out a mortgage. For that, it is important for you to know about the mortgage rate trends of home loans.

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June 4, 2009

What Are Some Green Energy Saving Ideas?

What Are Some Green Energy Saving Ideas?

What Are Some Green Energy Saving Ideas?

The recent demand in both green building and energy saving products has provided plenty of new green building materials and products designed to help a home become more energy efficient. Below is a list of both materials and products that are commonly used in new green homes today.

 

Foam insulation reduces energy costs by preventing air from seeping in and out of your house. Foam insulation is sprayed on unlike the traditional rolls of fiberglass insulation. To learn more about foam insulation, where it can be purchased, and associated costs, visit www.fomo.com/handi-foam.aspx or www.touch-n-seal.com.

 

Solar powered attic fans help to circulate the warm air in an attic in order to reduce the overall home’s temperature. Solar power fans will not place a burden on either your electric bill or on the environment. For more information on where to buy solar attic fans, visit Solatube’s website – www.solatube.com/residential/solarstar.php.

 

Energy Star appliances on average use 40 percent less energy passing the savings on to the homeowner. Energy Star certified homes are all built standard with Energy Star appliances which range from refrigerators, ovens, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. Visit EnergyStar.gov for more details.

 

Double paned windows are additional energy saving products that work by preventing the sun’s heat from penetrating the house, while at the same time keeping the cool air in; or vice versa if you live in a cold climate. A great resource to learn more is Efficient Windows – www.efficientwindows.org/energycosts.cfm.

 

Air conditioner units can play a big role in reducing utility costs. A 14-SEER air conditioner provides as much as 42 percent better energy efficiency over a conventional 8-SEER air conditioner. Learn more about heating and cooling systems by visiting www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/efficiency/ratings.shtml.

 

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December 17, 2008

Build Green, Save Money and Conserve Resources

The housing industry has quickly adopted the “go green” concept of building new homes. There are several home builders across the nation who provide eco-friendly houses equipped with the most modern energy saving materials and fixtures. Even some national builders including Elliott Homes and Shea Homes have introduced a series of green homes.

 

When building green there are two main factors that need to be taken into consideration. First, is conservation – energy conservation, water conservation, and natural resource conservation. Then there is taking into consideration the carbon footprint that constructing and living in a new house has on the environment.

 

Ways to conserve:

 

When conserving energy there are numerous products and materials available to builders. Let’s see, we’ve got solar-powered attic fans, which helps to circulate fresh air, ventilate the warm air out, and even extend life of the roof.

 

Seal all areas where air can seep in and out with sprayed foam insulation. In addition, use blown-in wall insulation to ensure that your energy saving home keeps your house cool in the summers and warm in the winters using the least amount of electricity. And don’t forget your dual-pane windows.

 

Install a 14-SEER air conditioning unit. With this bad-boy you’ll be saving an impressive $42 on every $100 spent on electricity for an 8-SEER system. Another effective energy saving approach is to have Energy Star® appliances – refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater, etc.

 

Ways to reduce a new home’s carbon footprint:

 

Using certified wood from sustainable forests is a very eco-friendly approach to building. Sustainable forests are carefully monitored and help to maintain the local ecosystem and preservation by regenerating growth.

 

Use recycled materials where possible and be sure to recycle left over materials and waste from the construction process.

 

Conserve water by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads, plus low-flush toilets. You can also utilize one of many exterior water conservation systems that will monitor weather reports and adjust your watering schedule for rain, and some systems will gather and store rainwater for use on grass and other plants.

 

Finally, consider installing solar-panels. A home solar-panel system can save money on utilities by conserving the electricity used from the utility company, and can even generate as much as 40 percent of the average household’s daily electricity use.

 

You can find many very useful “green” home building resources online. When building green check out GreenerBuildings.com, the EPA’s Green Building web-page, and the U.S. Green Building Council.